Trusted Project Manager: 5 Habits to Build Trust | Video

You want to be a Trusted Project Manager. So you will need to cultivate five habits to build trust.

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Everyone needs to feel they can trust their Project Manager.

And you want them to trust you. So, what do you do to earn their trust? Of course, you know the things that easily erode trust. And, I’m sure you avoid them:

• Lying or misleading
• Not listening in meetings
• Bullying and manipulation
• Inconsistent decisions
• Playing favorites
• Indulging in gossip

But the question is…

What can You do to Build Trust?

I’d like to suggest that there are five habits you can cultivate, that will build trust in your:

• team
• stakeholders
• bosses, clients, and sponsors

Trusted Project Manager Habit 1:
Ask for Ideas

The more you engage other people in offering their own ideas, the more they will trust your decisions. The more you listen to their suggestions about which choice to make, the greater their confidence will be in your leadership.

Trusted Project Manager Habit 2:
Make Time to Listen to People

I hope it goes without saying that the first habit is meaningless if you don’t pay attention to the ideas you hear. If you don’t listen, or ignore them, trust will evaporate like spilt whiskey. My point here is the importance of making time to speak with people, and to give them a good listening to. Hear their concerns. Share their triumphs. Let them talk through their challenges.

Trusted Project Manager Habit 3:
Offer Your Trust

People won’t trust you, if they feel you don’t trust them. When you set someone up to do something: • tell them you are leaving them to it, • offer to be available if they ask for help, and then • leave them to it

Trusted Project Manager Habit 4:
Do what You Say You’ll Do

Walking the talk is a cliché, right? Of course, right. But that’s because it’s so important. Follow through on your commitments and maintain the highest standards of integrity. Enough said.

Trusted Project Manager Habit 5:
You will make Mistakes…

And, when you do… Say sorry. Don’t think for one moment that apologies make you look weak, incompetent, or naïve. Instead, they show you are a human who makes mistakes, and a leader who takes responsibility for them. No apology: no forgiveness.

What Kit does a Project Manager Need?

I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own. 

Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs

Note that the links are affiliated.

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